First ASBO-busting team to tackle Doncaster yobs

joining forces: Chief Inspector Neil Thomas, Mayor of Doncaster Peter Davies, Councillor Cynthia Ransome and Karen Hanson, Head of Service community safety at DMBC, pictured with members of the Neighbourhood Response team. Picture: Marie Caley D2758MC.

Published:17:21Friday 02 September 2011

A NEW rapid round-the-clock response team has been set up in Doncaster to crack down on anti-social behaviour that is blighting neighbourhoods across the borough.

The 30-strong team of police community support officers and council enforcement officers is thought to be the first of its kind in the UK.

The team will operate seven days a week tackling anti-social behaviour, criminal damage, harrassment, street drinking, littering, illegal motorbike riding, and general abusive or nuisance behaviour responding to calls from the public.

Mayor Peter Davies , whose mission to clean up Doncaster has included a recent clamp down on spitting in the street, explained: “Doncaster is once again leading the way by launching a pioneering team that deals with all types of anti-social behaviour round the clock.

“This is the biggest investment in tackling anti-social behaviour that Doncaster has seen in recent eyars and I’m confident that residents will report incidents and help us show trouble-makers that their behviour is completely unacceptable.

“We have seen trouble across the country recently and, thankfully, the people of Doncaster had more sense than to cause such mindless mayhem. This team has been planned for months and will stop small problems escalating into large into large ones.

Chief inspector Neil Thomas added: “Anti-social behaviour effects everyone. It ranges from noisy neighbours and littering to criminal damage and abusive and intimidating behaviour. We treat all reprots of anti-social behaviour very seriously and understand the effect it can have on people’s lives.

“This new team will be a huge step forward, bringing both council staff and PCSOs togetehr to deal with all types of criminal behaviour.”

The team was set up just weeks after the joint police/council campaign to tackle anti-social behaviour was launched under the slogan “We’re tackling, not tolerating, anti-social behaviour.”

The neighbourhood response team, set up at a cost of £650,000 allocated from existing funds, will work seven days a week from 8am to 5am with teams in vans responding to calls from the public.

To report anti-social behaviour, telephone Doncaster Council on (01302) 736000.

* Last year there was a seven per cent reduction in anti-social behaviour in Doncaster with 1,890 fewer incidents than in 2009/10.